ASCT

ASCT stands for autologous stem cell transplantation, a medical procedure used to treat certain cancers predominantly of the blood and bone marrow. The patient's own hematopoietic stem cells are collected, stored, and later infused back after administering high-dose chemotherapy (and sometimes radiotherapy). The goal is to allow higher doses of chemotherapy to kill cancer cells while rescuing the bone marrow with the collected stem cells.

Mobilization is achieved by growth factors such as G-CSF, sometimes combined with chemotherapy to release stem cells into peripheral blood. Stem cells are collected via leukapheresis and frozen for later use. After conditioning therapy—high-dose chemotherapy with or without total body irradiation—the stem cells are thawed and reinfused intravenously. Engraftment, the restoration of blood cell production, typically occurs within two to four weeks.

ASCT is commonly used for multiple myeloma, certain non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphomas, and some leukemias and amyloidosis. It is less invasive than allogeneic transplantation, which uses donor cells and carries risks such as graft-versus-host disease. In autologous transplants, the risk of graft-versus-host disease is minimal, but relapse of the underlying disease remains a key concern. Complications can include infections, mucositis, organ toxicity from the conditioning regimen, bleeding, and fatigue during recovery.

Outcomes depend on disease type, stage, patient age, and response to induction therapy. ASCT remains a standard treatment option in eligible patients, often integrated with novel systemic therapies and targeted treatments.